Trump inauguration turnout dwarfed by Obama in 2009

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National Mall crowds attending the inauguration ceremonies to swear in U.S. President Donald Trump at 12:01pm (L) on January 20, 2017 and President Barack Obama on January 20, 2009,Credit:
Lucas Jackson (L), Stelios Varias/Reuters

Aerial photographs also suggest that America's first black president was a greater draw than the billionaire mogul and television presenter.

The photograph of Mr Trump's inauguration was taken 26 minutes earlier on the day than that of Mr Obama's, but there does appear to have been a significant difference in the number attending.

Official figures finally put the number of spectators in 2009 at around 1.8 million. Initial estimates for the Trump inauguration put the number of people at 700,000 to 900,000.

The weather in 2009 was cold, below freezing, but clear. At Mr Trump's inauguration it was far milder, but there was intermittent rain.

Other indications that Mr Obama was a far bigger attraction were provided by the Washington area transit authority.

By 11 am 193,000 journeys had been made on the system - 4,000 fewer than George W Bush's second inauguration. At the same time in 2009, as Mr Obama prepared to take the oath of office, there had been 513,000 passengers.